George Strait, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson Attend ASCAP Awards

King George recognized as country music founder.

Tammy Ragusa

Garth Brooks performs a George Strait medley

You know it’s a big night in country music when you can find George Strait, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack all in one room. Add in newer stars like Jennifer Nettles, David Nail, Jerrod Niemann, Greg Bates, Love and Theft, Eric Paslay, Chris Janson, Cassadee Pope and Angaleena Presley, along with megahit songwriters like Ben Hayslip, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally and Matt Warren, and the stars on the ground shine brighter than the ones in the sky!

Yes, that did happen last night (Nov. 4) in Nashville when performing rights organization ASCAP held its yearly honors show to award songwriters and artists. But there was more than just red-carpet glam and plaque presentations. There were great performances, including Eric Paslay singing the Eli Young Band hit “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”—his second No. 1 as a writer.

But the night belonged to ASCAP Founders Award recipient George Strait. George was honored with performances by Alan Jackson, who sang “Let’s Fall to Pieces Together,” Lee Ann Womack, who sang “Troubadour,” and Garth Brooks, who put together a medley of Strait hits including “Amarillo by Morning,” “The Fireman” and “Unwound.”

Alan Jackson sings “Let’s Fall to Pieces Together”

The Founders Award is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring their peers. Previous recipients include Garth, Alan, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

Also honored last night was ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Josh Kear, who co-wrote Luke Bryan’s hit “Drunk On You” and Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” and the ASCAP Country Songs of the Year, “Drunk On You,” co-written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, and Randy Houser’s “How Country Feels,” co-written by Neil Thrasher.